This doesn’t happen all that often, but I had a good bit (or at least some) of this article all thought out in my head. Then when I finally sat down to pull it together, I forgot what I was going to write about. Not exactly the first time, nor will it be the last, but this goes to show once again that I need to keep pen and paper on my night stand. So, I eventually gave up on those original thoughts, but hopefully what I have written will be just as encouraging. I also pray for God’s help when I create my articles, so this could be His way of pointing me in a more needed direction.
There may have been times in our lives when we felt like throwing our hands up in the air and thinking, or maybe even shouting out loud, I give up! There could have even been those times when we felt overcome by just too many things coming at us all at once. This or that appliance is broken, one or more of our vehicles need repair, or there may even be multiple health issues that we are currently dealing with. I am sure that each of us can add to this list of potential challenges, but the happening all at once is where the overwhelming can and does take control of our lives. I don’t mean to minimize any of our own challenges, since they can seem insurmountable if we let them, but we must never forget that we have God and we have each other. I cannot image those in this world who are all alone, without God and without spiritual brothers and sisters standing with them. How sad and so very scary!
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (NKJV)
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
I am not saying that there aren’t scary things that can come upon us, but with prayer, God is there to help us overcome them. Yes, God is in control and does hear and answer our prayers.
1 John 5:12-15 (NKJV)
12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
Even with God’s help and the help of our brethren, we still need to be courageous and steadfast as we deal with life’s challenges. I am certainly not saying that it will always be easy, especially since some of our challenges may come upon us all at once, but we at least know that we are not alone and that we have others standing with us. Giving up on life, fleshly or eternal, is not an option. May life’s scaries be few, and may we overcome them with God’s help and the help of others.
1 John 5:4 (NKJV)
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.